Is Cheerios® made with whole grain oats?

Absolutely. And science keeps confirming the wisdom of that choice. Not only do whole-grains including oats taste good, they may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Cereal is already one of the healthiest breakfast choices you can make. When you choose Cheerios® cereals, you’re getting at least 14 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams are recommended daily).

The oats in Cheerios, which give Cheerios much of their familiar flavor and crunch, are selected for their quality and nutritional benefits. Oats are a traditional bakers’ choice for flavor, texture and abundance, and it was in that spirit that General Mills first created “Cheerioats” in 1941.

Health benefits

Since then, we’ve learned more about the health benefits of the whole grain oats in original Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios. Beta-glucan, the soluble fiber in whole grain oats, acts like a kind of sponge that may help to soak up some of the cholesterol in the body, so the body can get rid of it naturally. When science confirms the instinctive choices of skilled bakers, it’s a testament to the wisdom of using whole grain oats*

Why is whole grain important?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommend that you eat at least half of all grains as whole grain.

- Cereals made with whole grain are labeled “whole” before the grain in question. You can find the whole grain stamp on the side panel of all Big G cereals. - All Cheerios cereal varieties have at least 14 grams of whole grain per serving. At least 48 grams recommended daily.

Holistic benefits

Whole grain offers a variety of potential benefits and plays a role in helping maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Whole grain has fiber, vitamins, minerals and hundreds of other phytonutrients. The health benefits of whole grain come from the three components of grain (germ, endosperm and bran). Each of these nutrients has its own benefits, but can work together powerfully in their natural proportions. People who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don’t, and a diet high in whole grain has also been found to play a role in managing diabetes and certain types of cancer. Whole grain is not only good for the body, it’s also part of the classic flavor that makes people happy — and happiness is important too.

The oats in Cheerios® cereal are selected for their quality and nutritional benefits. Our oats aren't just good for people; they're good for the planet because the oats in Cheerios use low levels of fertilizer and grow on natural rainwater. Less fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation leads to less environmental impact.